PROJECT COMENIUS-EPEITE the traditions of Christmas in France project carried out by CAP2 Restaurant Professor Hotel-Restaurant : E. ROUSSILLON L.P ALLEVARD Terminé le 15 DECEMBRE 2011 This project was financed with the support of the European Commission. This publication [communication] engages only its author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which could be made information which is contained there”.

Father Christmas Christmas atmosphere : snow all over the country and the roofs of the houses illuminations.. meals...Christmas Eve.

Christmas markets ? Magic places which help us forget our everyday troubles Meet their friendly ambience...join in ! And share their typical smell of roast chestnuts…

ENJOY the CHRISTMAS MARKETS iridescent colours... the lights of the town... Decorations… smell of spices:cinnamon... Food:tartiflettes (cheese and potatoes ),waffles. Hot wine with spices. A multitude of « chalets »

OUTSIDE DECORATIONS : streets,houses, gardens

LYON : its illuminations on December 8th. The EIFFEL TOWER in PARIS and MONUMENTS. Moved scenes in window shops. Chambéry : « Les Arcades » « The Fountain of the Elephants with gorgeous decorations. ILLUMINATIONS

The tradition of « The Log « This ceremonial gesture, derived from different pagan celebrations linked to wintersolstice,remains in country. The tradition of lighting a log in the fire place on Christmas Eve used to be all over Europe. Burning in the living room,it brings heat and light in the evening.

Grandad gets warm by the fire… The atmosphere on Christmas Eve is special and different from New Year's Eve. It is a family party, the celebration of the links between the different generations together. This evening is sacred, for believers or not. During one evening we put resentments, jealousies, quarrels aside. A NIGHT OF PEACE

THE CHILDREN under THE TREE

On December 24th, the evening before Christmas: a holy evening for believers or not,. the opportunity to share a festive meal in the families because Christmas remains a magic time for the children, CHRISTMAS EVE the interior of the houses is decorated with Christmas trees ( candles, strings of lights, twinkling balls) a pleasant fire in the fire place, sweets on the table, a goose roasting in the oven spreading, a smell of spices And excited children running all over the place !

DECORATION OF THE TABLES Nice tablecloth... china crystal glasses … silver cutlery...

CHRISTMAS MEAL Such succulent food... …. A turkey served with chestnuts and cardoons or a roasted goose or a stuffed capon Cocktails Oysters in their shells ripe cheese Christmas « Bûche » CHAMPAGNE Stuffed snails

Mellow White Wine Red Wine VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE Un digestif régional local liqueur WINE

The 13 desserts in PROVENCE The papillotes in Lyon Christmascracker with a chocolate sweet The Christmas « Bûche » DESSERTS The Christmas «Bûche » « truffes » a log shaped cake with butter cream

FRENCH GASTRONOMY at UNESCO GastronomicFrench meal, Alençon point lace and combination of workmen have been noted on the representative list of the immaterial cultural heritage of humanity. Nations Organization for education,science and culture, accepted the three files presented by France, admitting they represented « the variety of the immaterial heritage » and that it was necessary to « become aware of their importance ». LA TOUR D’ARGENT. Paris November 16th 2010.

Father Christmas He is called « Chalande » in Savoy. SANTA CLAUS inspired FATHER CHRISTMAS.

CHILDREN : tales, legends … « I can't bear spending Christmas on a log any more !!!«

Under the tree FATHER CHRISTMAS is coming… The CHILDREN discover… The PRESENTS

PEACEFUL NIGHT Christmas ambience :the country and the roofs of the houses covered in snow...the the illuminations... Father Christmas.. a good meal with one's family......

Christmas CAROLS, songs and shows

MERRY CHRISTMAS!